Electric switch



Aug. 18, 1953 R. P. BALLoU ELECTRIC SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 17, 1949 INVENTOR. t //CHARD F. BALLO!! BY M Aug. 18, 1953 R. P. BALLOU ELECTRIC SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 17, 1949 INVENTOR. ?/CHARD 1D. BALL OI/ /GTTORNE YS Patented Aug. 18, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SWITCH Richard P. Ballon, Hartford, Conn., assignor to Federal Electric Products Company, Newark,

N. J., a corporation Application August 17, 1949, Serial N o. 110,732

22 Claims. (Cl. 20D- 16) electric switch contact units for use in connection with magnetic motor-starters, limit switches, door switches, etc., and more specifically to a self-contained Contact unit provided with a plurality of contacts arranged in combinations of normally open and/or normally closed contacts.

One object of this invention is to provide a switch having a plurality of contacts readily arrangeable into various combinations of normally This invention relates in general to auxiliary open or normally closed relatively movable commeans of attachment other than the fastening means for the casing parts.

A further object of this invention is to provide a switch having -only one set of contacts which can be used as either normally open or normally closed contacts.

A further object of this invention is to provide a switch in which the relative position of the contact terminals can be changed by rotating the switch about its vertical axis.

A further robject of this invention is to provide a switch having one molding which serves as both the base and the cover block.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be fully understood from the following description, considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled switch embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of one part of the casing, the latter being composed of two such parts;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the various switch elements in position in the casing part;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic View illustrating an operational disposition of a pair of the present invention associated with a motor-starter;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view tak-en on line 5 5 of Fig. 3 and showing, also, the companion part of i* the casing in position;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6 6 'of Fig. 3 and showing, also, the companion part of the casing in position;

Fig. 7 is a sectional View taken on line 1 1 of Fig. 3, and showing, also, the companion part of the casing in position;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 3 illustrating an- .I other arrangement yof the contacts;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8 and showing, also, the companion part of the casing in position;

Fig. 10 is a partial sectional view taken on the n line |6 I6 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 1l illustrates a switch embodying the invention and provided with a pair of normally closed contacts; 1

Fig. 12 illustrates the switch of Fig. l1 ar- 'f ranged with normally open contacts; and

Fig. 13 illustrates a fixed contact of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, the casing of the switch unit 26, illustrated in Fig. l, is preferably formed of two identical parts 22 molded of suitable insulating material. For convenience of description, one of said two parts 22 may be considered as the switch base, indicated at 24, and the other as the cover, indicated at 26 (Figs. l and 5), although as indicated said two parts are preferably of the same formation in all respects,

so that only a single mold is needed for producing both of said housing parts. When the two parts are disposed in face-to-face relation, they dei-lne the complete casing or housing and are secured in said relation, being secured in said relation by countersunk bolts 28 retained in the aligned bores 36 by countersunk nuts 32. Each molding or part 22 is provided with a male part 34 and a female part 36 which interi-lt with part 36 and part 34, respectively, on the companion molding when the two parts are assembled to form the housing (Figs. 1, 5 and 6), serving to aid in registering the two casing parts and to hold them against relative displacement in their meeting plane. Molding 22 comprises a bottom wall 38, opposing lateral walls 46 and 42, opposing end walls 44 and 46, and the spaced transverse ribs 4B and 50, to form the separate switch Contact chambers 52, 54 and 56, each provided with Athe centrally grooved portion 58 extending upwardly from the bottom wall to form a guideway 60 extending longitudinally -of said bottom wall between the barrier, or stop, 62 extending upwardly from the bottom wall and end wall 44, in the case of chamber 52, and ribs 48 and 50, in the case of chambers 54 and 56, respectively. Each chamber is also provided with a portion 64, extending upwardly from the bottom wall, and cooperating with the companion barriers 62, as

will hereinafter be described, and with a contact spacing part 66 extending upwardly from the bottom wall and extending transversely of said chamber between lateral wall :i2 and the grooved portion 58. Notches or seats 68 are provided in lateral wall l2 and recesses or slots 'l0 are provided in bottom wall 33, the function of both of which is hereinafter described.

Each chamber is provided with a pair of xed contact elements 'l2 and "iii, formed of suitable electrical conducting material, each being provided with the 'terminal portion 'F6 'adapted to be connected to an external circuit and with the contact i8, preferably formed of silver or other suitable material. Both Contact elements are similar in shape and design and diier only in the dimensions of the flat bottom or intermediate portion 8@ (see Figs. 3 and 13), said portion being larger in element ifi. In a block containing only normally closed contacts, as illustrated in Fig. 3, contact element 'l2 disposed in the upper seat 68 in each chamber and contact element M is disposed in the lower seat 68 in each chamber. The depth of each seat is approximately half the thickness of the terminal portion 'it (see Fig. 6) and that part of said portion which extends above the seat in block 2d is received in the companion seat in cover 26 whereby the terminal portion is securely retained against both lateral and longitudinal displacement. Since contact element 'i2 is disposed in the upper right hand corner of each chamber, its bottom portion S0, which is disposed on the upper surface of bottom wall 33 is, of necessity, much smaller than the equivalent bottom portion of contact element lll which must extend longitudinally of the bottom wall for substantially the entire length of the chamber whereby the portions 82 of each Contact element, which portions are normal to the portions 86, are aligned in order to align the contacts i8. The upstanding portion 82 of each contact element extends Iabove the lateral walls of block 24 (see Figs. 6 and '7) and its free end 801 is received in companion recesses 1li in the bottom wall of the overlying cover 26, whereby dislodgement of said end is prevented. The contact elements are separated by the spacing part 66 (see Fig. 7) and portion 80 of the contact element 'M is guided into position on wall 38 by the barrier c?. and the portion @il between which the contact portion 8@ is disposed (see Fig.

'1) and which prevent the lateral displacement thereof. From the above, it will be apparent that both contact elements are readily positionable in block 2li and are retained, without any additional securement, by cooperating seats 68, recesses 'it in the cover, and portion 66, and that the larger contact element M is additionally retained by stop 62 and barrier lill.

The stationary contacts 'i8 are bridged by a movable contact member 86, preferably formed of bronze or other electrically conductive material, provided with contacts 88, which cooperate with the stationary contacts 18, and also provided with a guide part Se which extends therefrom for movement longitudinally of guideway 6@ and between the sides of grooved portion 58 (see Fig. 6) whereby rotation of the movable contact member is prevented. Said movable member is provided with a circular aperture 92 through which is disposed the circular rod or switch-operating member Se., preferably formed oi Bakelite or other suitable electrical insulating material, said rod extending through the switch unit 20 and having end portions 9% and 98 projecting from the ends thereof. The rod is movable longitudinally o the switch unit and is mounted in the semi-circular portions |00 (see Fig. 2) provided centrally of end walls 44 and 46, and of ribs Q3 and et in both the block and the cover. The rod is provided with three spaced concentric grooves (see Fig. 10) in each of which is mounted a pinch ring IM, and with three washers |85, preferably formed of steel, or other suitable material, two of which are disposed on the upper surface of ribs 48 and 50, respectively (see Fig. 3) and the other one being disposed on the upper surface of end wall 46. Three helical compression springs ill are mounted on rod 94, each spring being disposed between a washer and the lower surface of the movable contact member whereby the latter is normally biased upwardly against the pinch ring in the relaxed condition of the spring and the movable contacts 88 engage the stationary contacts 18.

To operate the switch, the end se of actuating member 94 is depressed whereby pinch rings les are carried downwardly by said member to move the bridging member 8B downwardly against the tension of spring 08 whereby the movable contacts are disengaged from the xed contacts. in its downward movement, the bridging member is guided by its guide part 9G which extends between the sides of the grooved portion 53 thereby preventing the rotation of said member about rod 94. This downward movement continues until the guide part abuts barrier 62 (see Fig. 6) which prevents further movement of the movable bridge member. During the downward movement, the spring is compressed, and upon the release of rod 94, it is apparent that the spring will expand to its relaxed or protracted condition and return the movable bridge member to its normal position wherein contacts i3 engage contacts 88.

The contact terminals 'I6 are all illustrated in Fig. l as projecting from the right side of the switch assembly 20. A definite advantage of the auxiliary contact unit of my invention is the fact that by rotating the unit about its longitudinal axis, the terminals can be displaced by any desired degree from the position shown, to facilitate attachment of the unit in a circuit without in any manner affecting the operation there-- of and without requiring any physical or elec-- A trical changes in the unit except possibly to locate the terminal screws (not shown) for access at the front of the assembly.

While the unit described above comprises a three-section switch, each having normally closed contacts, it is apparent that the unit can be constructed to include any desired number of sections, and moreover, the illustrated arrangement of normally closed contacts can be changed. to normally open contacts orto any desired combination of normally open and normally closed contacts. An arrangement of two normally closed switch sections and one normally open section is illustrated in Fig. 8 wherein all components and parts are the same as those in Fig. 3, switch chambers 52 and 54 having normally closed contacts, as do the same chambers in Fig. 3, but switch chamber 56 has normally open contacts in place of the normally closed contacts of chainber 56 in Fig. 3. The change is accomplished by reversing both the positions and the disposition of contact elements 12 and 14 from their respecn tive positions and disposition in the normally closed position. It will be noted that in chamber 56' of Fig. 8, the shorter contact 'l2 is in the lower right hand corner and that instead of extending toward bottom wall 38 of base block 24, as in the other chambers, the shorter contact is reversed by 180` degrees so that the top surface of terminal portion I6 is positioned in seat E8 of the base block, but portion 80 extends outwardly from said block and is disposed on the bottom wall 38 of the cover block 26 (see Fig. 9) and portion 82 extends downwardly toward the bottom wall of the base block with end 84 inserted in recess I in the base block and fixed contact 'I8 faces into the unit. In the` same manner, contact element '|4 is reversed by 180 degrees and the upper surface of terminal 'I6 is disposed in the upper seat 68 in chamber 56' and said contact element extends outwardly of the base block, portion 88 thereof now overlying spring |68' and being disposed on the bottom wall of the cover block (see Fig. 9), the rear of portion 82 thereof abutting end wall 46 of the base block and end 84 thereof being positioned in the companion recess 'I8 in the base block. The positions of pinch ring |04 and washer |06 are also reversed in chamber 56', the washer being at the top of the chamber and the ring being positioned on the rod upwardly from end wall 46, in the normal position of the rod, whereby the movable contact member 86' is positioned above the ring, with its contacts 88 facing downwardly, and spring |88 is retained in compressed condition between the ring and the washer, it being understood that the tension of spring |08 is less than the combined tension of the springs |08 in the other chambers, whereby the rod is normally positioned as indicated in Fig. 8. It will be apparent that the guide 88 of the bridging member is now disposed between the sides of the grooved portion 58 in the cover block (see Fig. 9).

When rod 94, of the unit illustrated in Fig. 8, is depressed, the operation of the switch sections disposed in chambers 52 and 54 will bethe same as described above, but since ring |84 is carried downwardly by rod 64, the spring |88 will expand from its compressed position to carry movable member 86' downwardly until its contacts 88 engage the fixed contacts 18. Upon the release of rod 94, the expansion of springs |08 will move the rod upwardly and cause the compression of spring |88', thereby returning movable member 86 to its normally disengaged position.

The switch unit illustrated in Fig. 8 may be modified by replacing either of the springs |83 with the companion springs |34 and |36, and the additional ring |32, as illustrated in Fig. 1l, and hereinafter described. Such an arrangement would have the advantage of regulating the break action of movable contacts 88 from fixed contacts 'I8 in that spring |34 would compress as spring |36 expands in the return of rod 96 from its depressed to its normal position.

A switch unit embodying the invention and having one set of contacts only is illustrated in Figs. 1l and 12, Fig. 11 showing normally closed contacts and Fig. l2 showing normally open contacts. As in the case of the three unit switches, one molding |I0 serves as both the base block I|2 and the cover block (not separately shown), said molding being provided with the lateral 0pposing walls I I4 and I I6, the bottom wall I I8, and the end walls |28 and |22, the latter being provided with bores |24 and |26 to receive a countersunk bolt and a countersunk nut for fastening the cover and block together. Lateral wall IIB is provided with seats 68 and bottom wall IIB is provided with the separating portion 66, the recesses 10, the grooved portion 58, the guideway 68 and the barrier 62 (all parts therein which are the same as those illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 5 through 10, bear the same identifying numerals). In the normally closed unit illustrated in Fig. 11, contact elements 'I2 and Mare disposed in the same manner as in Fig. 3. The actuating rod |28 is shorter than rod 94, since it accommodates only one set of contacts. Rod |28 is provided with a pair of spaced pinch rings 38 and |32 which are the same as rings |04 on rods 94 and are mounted in the same manner. A helical compression spring |34 is mounted on rod |28 and bears against ring |32 and the under surface of the movable contact member 86 to maintain the movable contacts 88 in engagement with the fixed contacts 18, said spring being slightly compressed in the norma1 position of the rod. A second helical compression spring |36 is mounted on the rod and bears against ring |32 and wall |22 in the cut-out |38 provided to receive said spring. When the rod is depressed the contacts do not disengage immediately due to the compression of spring |34 and due to the fact that ring |36 is spaced from the movable member, but when the ring abuts the latter, the latter is carried downwardly against the tension of spring |36 which begins to compress, guide part 98 thereof riding in guideway 68 in block |I2. On the release of the rod, spring |376 returns to its expanded condition and carries the rod upwardly to return the contacts to their normally closed position. To prevent any injury to the bridging member on its re-engagement with the fixed contacts, the rod is permitted to overtravel since the ring |38 does not normally abut the movable contact member. The overtravel is limited by the expansion of spring |36 against the compression of spring |34 between ring |32 and the movable member.

The construction illustrated in Fig. l1 may be modified by replacing springs |34 and |36, and pinch ring |32, with a single spring such as spring |88 illustrated in Fig. 3. In the modified oonstruction the spring |08 is mounted on rod |28, one end thereof bearing against the under surface of the movable contact member 86 to maintain the movable contacts 88 in engagement with the fixed contacts 18, and the other spring end bearing against wall |22 in the cut-out |38, the spring being slightly compressed in the normal position of the ring. The modified unit will operate in the same manner as in Fig. 11, the contacts disengaging on the depression of rod |28, and ren engaging on the return of the rod to its normal position.

To convert the single unit into a normally open contact switch, the contact elements "I2 and I4 change positions and are reversed in the same manner as described with reference to chamber 56 of Fig. 8, and it will be understood that they are now disposed on the bottom wall of the cover block (not illustrated) and the bridging member rides in the guideway thereof. Referring now to Fig. 12, during the depression of rod |28, ring |32, on which the movable member is retained by the compression of spring |34, moves downwardly against the tension of spring |36 which is compressed thereby and the movable member engages the fixed contacts. Again, to prevent injury to the movable member and to avoid the necessity for precisely controlling the extent of downward travel of the rod, provision is made to permit the overtravel thereof against the tension of spring |36 which compresses between 2? Wall |22 and ring 32, spring i3d beginning to contract after the contacts engage. On the release of the rod, spring |36 Will returnA to its relaxed position'and disengage the contacts.

-One arrangement of the auxiliary contact units of my invention is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 4. Tvvo units Idil and li, each of which may be the same as unit 2@ or each having any desired arrangement of normally open and normally closed contacts, and each connected to external circuits (not shown) by the terminals TS, are provided with actuating rods which are operated by the member las which constitutes the armature of the relay m6. With the relay unenergized, it will be understood that armature idd, which is provided with means Well known in the art, will bear against rods 9d to retain the rods in their depressed condition. Upon the energization of the relay, the armature is carried out of engagement with the rods which will be carried to their protracted positions by the spring members in the units, thereby causing the concomitant opening and/or closing of a plurality of external circuits, in various relations, as desired.

While there has been illustrated and described a one-section and a three-section switch control unit, it Will be understood that the unit may have any desired number of sections, the contacts of each of which can be arranged required to control the related circuits.

It will be understood that the terms normal or normally, as used in the appended claims, refer to the unenergized condition of the switch units, and, more specifically, to the positioi. of the movable contact elements and operating member when the latter is not depressed.

While I have shown and described the presently preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that various changes in the details of construction and in the form and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the underlying idea or principles of this invention Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what i claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A housing for a switch having companion fixed and movable contact elements, said housing comprising a base member and a cover member, said members being interchangeable and each having a bottom wall and opposed lateral Walls upstanding therefrom, said bottom Wall being provided with recessed portions for insertably receiving the ends of the xed contact elements and with a guideway forming portion for guiding said movable contact element, said guide- Way portion being intermediate said lateral Walls and parallel thereto, one of said lateral walls being provided with spaced portions for receiving the terminal ends of said xed contact elements, and means releasably retaining the correspending walls of both of said members in abutment.

2. A housing for a switch having companion fixed and movable contact elements, said housing comprising a base member and a cover member, said members being interchangeable and each having a bottom Wall and opposed lateral walls upstanding therefrom, said bottom wall being provided with recessed portions for insertably receiving the ends of the fixed contact elements and with a guideway forming portion for guiding the movable contact element, and one of said lateral walls being provided with spaced portions for receiving the terminal ends of said fixed contact elements, said one Wall also having a male and a female part, the male and female parts of said cover member intertting with the female and male parts, respectively, of said base member.

3. A housing for a switch having companion nxed and movable contact elements, said housing comprising a base member and a cover member, said members being interchangeable and each having a bottom wall and opposed lateral walls upstanding therefrom, transverse rib portions extending between said lateral walls and forming a plurality of chambers in said members, each chamber having a guideway forming part in the bottom wall portion therein for guiding a movable contact element therein and slotted portions defined in the inner surface of said bottom wall portion for insertably receiving the ends of the xed contact elements, and one of said lateral walls being provided with spaced seats formed therein in each of said chambers for receiving the terminal ends of said xed contact elements, said one wall also having a male and a female part, the male and female parts of said cover member intertting with the female and male parts, respectively, of said base member.

4. A casing molding for a switch having companion fixed and movable contact elements, said molding comprising a bottom Wall and opposed lateral walls upstanding therefrom, said bottom Wall being provided with slotted portions donned in the inner surface thereof for insertable receiving the ends of the xed contact elements and with a guideway forming portion for guiding the f movable contact element, one of said lateral walls being provided with spaced seats formed therein and adapted to receive the terminal ends of said fixed contact elements.

5. A casing molding for a switch having companion xed and movable contact elements, said molding comprising a bottom Wall and opposed lateral Walls upstanding therefrom, said bottom Wall being provided With slotted portions defined in the inner surface thereof for insertably receiving the ends of the fixed contact elements and with a guidevvay forming portion for guiding the movable Contact element, and one of said lateral walls being provided with spaced seats formed therein for receiving the terminal ends of said fixed contact elements and With male and female portions adapted to engage with cooperating portions in a similar molding.

6. A switch comprising a housing formed of similar interchangeable portions, each of said portions being adapted to form the cover or the base of said housing and each having a bottom Wall provided With recessed portions and with a guidevvay forming portion, opposed lateral walls upstanding from said bottom Wall, one of said lateral Walls being provided with spaced seat portions, a movable contact member mounted for movement axially of said housing and provided With a portion extending into the guideway forming portion of one of said interchangeable portions, and a pair of xed contact members each having a terminal part disposed Within cooperating seat portions of said interchangeable portions, an intermediate part of said fixed contact members being disposed on the bottom Wall of said one interchangeable portion and an end part of said xed contact members being disposed in a recessed portion of the other of said interchangeable portions, and means for maintaining said movable contact member in normal releaslable engagement withl said xed contact memers.

7. A switch comprising a housing formed of similar interchangeable portions, each of said portions being adapted to form the cover or the base of said housing and each having a bottom wall provided with recessed portions and with a guideway forming portion, opposed lateral walls opstanding from said bottom wall, one of said lateral walls being provided with spaced seat portions, a movable contact member mounted for movement axially of said housing and provided with a portion extending into the guideway forming portion of one of said interchangeable portions, and a pair of lixed contact members each having a terminal part disposed within cooperating seat portions of said one interchangeable portion, an intermediate part of said fixed contact members being disposed on the bottom of said one interchangeable portion and an end part of said fixed contact members being disposed in a recessed portion of the other of said interchangeable portions, and means for maintaining said movable contact member in normal releasable engagement with said xed contact member comprising an operating member on which said movable contact member is movably mounted and a compression member disposed about said operating member in engagement with said movable contact member, said compression member resiliently biasing said movable contact member into engagement with said xed contact members, and a part carried by said operating member for disengaging said movable contact member against the bias oi' said compression member.

8. A switch comprising a housing formed of similar interchangeable portions, each of said portions being adapted to form the cover or the base of said housing and each having a bottom wall provided with recessed portions and with a guideway forming portion, opposed lateral walls upstanding from said bottom wall, one of said lateral walls being provided with spaced seat portions, a movable contact member mounted for movement axially of said housing and provided with a portion extending into the guideway forming portion of one of said interchangeable portions, and a pair of iixed contact members each having a terminal part disposed within cooperating seat portions of said interchangeable portions, an intermediate part of said xed contact members being disposed on the bottom wall of said one interchangeable portion and an end part of said xed contact members being disposed in a recessed portion of the other of said interchangeable portions, and means for maintaining said movable Contact member in normal disengagement with said fixed contact members.

9. A switch comprising a housing formed of similar interchangeable portions, each of said portions being adapted to form the cover or the base of said housing and each having a bottom wall provided with recessed portions and with a guideway forming portion, opposed lateral walls upstanding from said bottom wall, one of said lateral walls being provided with spaced seat portions, a movable contact member mounted for movement axially of said housing and provided with a portion extending into the guideway forming portion of one of said interchangeable portions, and a pair of fixed contact members each having a terminal part disposed within cooperating seat portions of said interchangeable portions, an intermediate part of said fixed contact members being disposed on the bottom wall of said one interchangeable portion and an end part of said xed contact members being disposed in a recessed portion of the other of said interchangeable portions, and means for maintaining said movable contact member in normal disengagement with said fixed contact members comprising an operating member on which said movable contact member is movably mounted, a compression member disposed about said operating member and bearing against one surface of said movable contact member, and a part xedly mounted on said operating member and spaced from. said fixed contact members in the normal position of said operating member, said part abutting the opposite surface of said movable contact member, said movable contact member being resiliently biased against said fixedly mounted part by said compression member.

10. A switch comprising a housing formed of similar interchangeable portions, each of said portions being adapted to form the cover or the base of said housing and each having a bottom wall and opposed lateral walls upstanding therefrom, transverse rib portions extending between said lateral walls and forming a plurality of chambers in each of said portions, each chamber having a guideway forming part on the bottom wall portion therein and recessed portions in said bottom wall portion, one of said lateral walls being provided with spaced seat portions in each of said chambers, the chambers of said baseportion cooperating with companion chambers of said cover portion to form a plurality of contact chambers, an operating member extending through said contact chambers and movable axially thereof, each contact chamber being provided with a pair of iixed contact elements each having a terminal part mounted in cooperating seat portions of said chamber and extending outwardly from said housing, intermediate portions of said contact elements being disposed on the bottom wall of one of said interchangeable portions and the inner end parts of said elements being disposed in the recessed portions in the other of said interchangeable portions, and a companion movable Contact element in each contact member chamber movably mounted on said operating member and having a portion extending into a guideway forming part in each contact chamber and being disposed on said operating member for normal engagement with its companion fixed contact elements.

11. A switch comprising a housing formed of similar interchangeable portions, each of said portions being adapted to form the cover or the base of said housing and each having a bottom wall and opposed lateral walls upstanding therefrom, transverse rib portions extending between said lateral walls and forming a plurality of chambers in each of said portions, each chamber having a guideway forming part on the bottom wall portion therein and recessed portions in said bottom wall portion, one of said lateral walls being provided with spaced seat portions in each of said chambers, the chambers of said base por- 'UOII COOPer/Gng with the companion chambers of said cover portion to form a plurality of contact chambers, an operating member extending through said Contact chambers and movable axially thereof, each contact chamber being provided with a pair of xed contact elements each having a terminal part mounted in cooperating seat portions of said chamber and extending outwardly from said housing, intermediate portions of said contact elements being disposed on the bottom wall of one of said interchangeable portions and the inner end parts of said elements being disposed in the recessed portions in the other of said interchangeable portions, and a companion movable contact element in each contact chamber movably mounted on said operating member and having a portion extending into aguideway forming part in each contact chamber, the movable contact element in at least one of said chambers being disposed on said operating member for normal engagement with its companion fixed contact elements, the movable contact element in at least another chamber being disposed on said operating member for normal disengagement with its cornpanion xed contact elements, said operating member being provided in each contact chamber with a part fixedly mounted thereon and with a compression member disposed thereabout, said xed part in said one chamber being proximate said inner end parts therein for said normal engagement of said contact elements and said fixed part in said other chamber being spaced from said inner endparts therein for normal disengagement of said contact elements, said movable contact element in said one chamber being maintained in abutment with said iixed part therein for said normal engagement by said compression member therein in its relaxed condition, and said movable contact element in said other chamber being maintained in abutment with saidl iixed part therein for said normal disengagementby said compression member therein in its compressed condition.

12. A switch comprising a housing having front and rear walls, opposing end walls and opposing lateral walls, a pair of fixed contact members having terminal parts extending from one of said lateral walls and having intermediate portions disposed on the inner surface ofv said rear Wall, the inner ends of said contact members being disposed in cooperating recessed portions provided inthe inner surface of said front wall, an operating'member mounted in said housing for movement axially thereof, said member be ing provided with a pair of parts iixedly` mounted in spaced relation thereon andwith a pair o compression members disposed thereabout, one of said compression 'members bearing against said lower endl wall and one of said xedly mounted parts, anda movable contact member movably mounted on` said operating member, said movable member being maintained in normal engagement'with saidxed contact members by said other compression member, said latter compression member bearing against said movabler contact member and said one xedly mounted part, said movable member being spaced from the other of said fixedly mounted parts when maintained in said normal engagement.

13. A switch comprising a housing having front and rear walls, opposing end walls and opposing lateral walls, a pair of xed contact members having terminal parts extending from one. of saidlateral walls and having intermediate portions disposed on the inner surface of said front.

for movement axially thereof, said memberbeing provided with a pair of parts iixedly mountedf in spaced relationthereon and with a pair oiL 12 compression members disposed thereabout, oii of said compression members bearing against the lower end wall and one of said xedly mounted parts, and a movable contact member movably mounted on said operating member and maintained in normal disengagement with said xed contact members, said movable member abutting said one iixedly mounted part, the other of said compression members bearing against said movable member and the other of said iixedly mounted parts to maintain said movable member in said abutment.

14. A switch housing element comprising a member provided with a bottom wall and with opposing lateral walls extending upwardly therefrom, said bottom wall being provided with a guidewai7 forming part for a movable contact member, said part being intermediate said lateral walls and parallel thereto and being provided with a stop portion for limiting the movement. of said contact member, and a part on said bottom wall spaced from said stop portion and cooperating therewith. to denne a guideway on said bottom wall for receiving a xed contact member.

15. A switch contact member having a terminal portion adapted to extend from a switch housing, an intermediate portion spaced therefrom and adapted to engage. a switch housing surface, saidk portions being disposed in parallel planes, a portion disposed 'angularly relative to said planes` and. joining together said first. men.- tioned portions, and. an. end: portionv spaced up.- wardly from said. intermediate portion and pro.- vided with a contact part.

16. Companion switch contact members each having a terminal portion. adapted to; extend from a switch housing., an intermediate portion spaced downwardly from the respective termina-l portions and' adapted to engage a switch housiner surface, saidy `portions beingA` disposed. in parallelY planes, aportion. disposed angularly. relative to said planes and joiningl together said rstgmen.- tioned portions, and end portion spacedup.- wardly from the. respective. inter-mediate portions and provided` with.` a contact-party, Said in,u termediate portions being. dimensioned,` to'y engage space differently dimensioned areas` of'- said housing surface whereby said contact partsI are disposed in spaced. alignment, upwardlyA from saidsurface.

17. A switch. comprising an, insulationcasing; formed of two similar, interchangeable` parte, each of said. parts` being adaptedy to form the cover or thebase ofA saide casing. and:eachlfiavr-y ing internal integralformationstoposition and holda plurality. of setsoffcompanion relatiifeiv. movable contacts, respectively, in cofoperative; relation,- saidf casing parts also,v having a; plu;- rality of setsA of complementariI confronting recesses which extend between ther interion` andv exterior ofthe casing at oneside;y thereof; and certain of said-.contacts havingtermi'nal-.memf

bers which aredisposed iny said complem'ental`4 recesses, respectively,v and project externally.- of;l

the casing at said:side-.thereotein.laterallyaspaced relation, and actuating. means `mounted in said casing andy/accessibleexternally thereof for mov.-

ing the` companion contacts` inA relation. tof. each'.

other.

18. A switch comprising aninsul'ationA casing formed of two similar parts, each oie` said parts haVi-nginternal integralformations. to position and holdv a plurality. oifsetsfofcompanion@relafI tively movable. contacta. respectively, in.v con operative relation, said casing parts also having a plurality of sets of complemental confronting recesses which extend between the interior and exterior of the casing at one side thereof and certain of said contacts having terminal members which are disposed in said complemental recesses, respectively, and project externally of the casing at said side thereof in laterally spaced relation, and actuating means mounted in said casing and accessible externally thereof for moving the companion contacts in relation to each other, said casing parts having complemental integral formations for guiding said actuating means for movement in said casing, and means for holding said two parts of the casing in casing dening relation.

19. A switch comprising a housing formed of similar interchangeable portions, each of said portions being adapted to form the cover or the base of said housing and each having a bottom wall and opposed lateral walls upstanding therefrom, transverse rib portions extending between said lateral walls and forming a plurality of chambers in each of said portions, each chamber having a guideway forming part on the bottom wall portion therein and recessed portions in said bottom wall portion, one of said lateral walls being provided with spaced seat portions in each of said chambers, the chambers of said base portion cooperating with companion chambers of said cover portion to form a plurality of contact chambers, an operating member extending through said contact chambers and movable axially thereof, each contact chamber being provided with a pair of xed contact elements each having a terminal part mounted in cooperating seat portions of said chamber and extending outwardly from said housing, intermediate portions of said contact elements being disposed on the bottom wall of one of said interchangeable portions and the inner end parts of said elements being disposed in the recessed portions in the other of said interchangeable portions, and a companion movable contact element in each contact chamber movably mounted on said operating member and having a portion extending into a guideway forming part in each contact chamber and being disposed on said operating member for normal disengagement with its companion fixed contact elements.

20. A switch comprising a housing formed of similar interchangeable portions, each of said portions being adapted to form the co-ver or the base of said housing and each having a bottom wail and opposed lateral Walls upstanding therefrom, transverse rib portions extending between said lateral walls and forming a plurality of chambers in each of said portions, each chamber having a guideway forming part on the bottom wall portion therein and recessed portions in said bottom wall portion, one of said lateral walls being provided with spaced seat portions in each of said chambers, the chambers of said base portion cooperating with companion chambers of said cover portion to form a plurality of contact chambers, an operating member extending through said contact chambers and movable axially thereof, each contact chamber being provided with a pair of fixed contact elements each having a terminal part mounted in cooperating seat portions of said chamber and extending outwardly from said housing, intermediate portions of said contact elements being disposed on the bottom wall of one of said interchangeable portions and the ingagement with its companion fixed contact elements.

21. A switch comprising a housing formed of similar interchangeable portions, each of said portions being adapted to form the cover or the base of said housing and each having a bottom wall and opposed lateral walls upstanding therefrom, transverse rib portions extending between said lateral walls and forming a plurality of chambers in each of said portions, each chamber having a guideway forming part on the bottom Wall portion therein and recessed portions in said bottom wall portion, one of said lateral walls being provided with spaced seat portions in each of said chambers, the chambers of said base portion cooperating with companion chambers of said cover portion to form a plurality of contact chambers, an operating member extending through said contact chambers and movable axially thereof, each contact chamber being provided with a pair of fixed contact elements each having a terminal part mounted in cooperating seat portions of said chamber and extending outwardly from said housing, intermediate portions of said contact elements being disposed on the bottom wall of one of said interchangeable portions and the inner end parts of said elements being disposed in the recessed portions in the other cf said interchangeable portions, and a companion movable contact element in each contact chamber movable mounted on said operating member and having a portion extending into a guideway forming part in each contact chamber, at least one of said movable contact elements being disposed on said operating member for normal disengagement with its companion xed contact elements.

22. A switch comprising a housing formed of similar interchangeable portions, each of said portions being adapted to form the cover or the base of said housing and each having a, bottom wall and opposed lateral walls upstanding therefrom, transverse rib portions extending between said lateral walls and forming a plurality of chambers in each of said portions, each chamber having a guideway forming part on the bottom wall portion therein and recessed portions in said bottom wall portion, one of said lateral walls being provided with spaced seat portions in each of said chambers, the chambers of said base portion cooperating with companion chambers of said cover portion to form a plurality of contact chambers, an operating mem-ber extending through said contact chambers and movable :axially thereof, each contact chamber being provided with a pair of fixed contact elements each having a terminal part mounted in cooperating seat portions of said chamber and extending outwardly from said housing, intermediate portions of said contact elements being disposed on the lbottom wall of one of said interchangeable portions and the inner end parts of said elements being disposed in the recessed portions in the other of said interchangeable portions, and a companion movable contact element in each contact chamber movably mounted on said operat- '15 ing member and having a portion extending into :a guideway forming part in each Contact charnber, at least one of said movable Contact elements being disposed on said operating member for normal engagement with its companion xed 5 Contact elements, and at least another of said movable Contact elements being disposed on said operating member for normal disengagement with its companion xed Contact elements.

RICHARD P. BALLOU.

Refereees Cited in the Ele of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Martin June 24, Kempton Oct. 14, Unwin Jan. 28, Van Valkenberg Feb. 13, Geyer Nov. 26, Robbins Jan. 25, Fron July 12, 

